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The Pope’s popularity is dropping in the United States while conservative opposition to his papacy is rising, according to a Pew Research Centre survey.

The January survey canvassed 1,503 Americans.

Twenty percent of those surveyed are Catholic.

The survey found a third of respondents think Pope Francis is “too liberal” while one-quarter considered him “too naïve”.

Just under half think he is doing a “poor” or “middling” job in handling clergy sexual abuse scandals.

Conservative Catholics reported they are increasingly concerned about his reforms and vision for the Catholic Church.

While Francis has won public acclaim for living in the Vatican guesthouse instead of the Apostolic Palace and washing the feet of Muslim inmates during Holy Week, these gestures were not the focus for many of those surveyed.

People are now “looking at what he has really changed in the church,” says John Thavis, author of “The Vatican Diaries” and former Rome bureau chief for Catholic News Service.

“He does have his share of critics, but he still has an awful lot of support among mainstream Catholics.”

At the same time, Catholics are increasingly polarised about the actions Francis has taken as Pope.

Since 2014, the share of Catholic Republicans who say Francis represents a “major, positive change” for the church declined from 60 percent to 37 percent.

Similarly, the number of American Catholics who view Francis as “too liberal” (34 percent) or “naive” (24 percent) has multiplied dramatically during the past three years.

Pew’s study helps define the small but growing anti-Francis movement.

Conservatives have criticized the Pope for saying of gay people, “Who am I to judge?” and for opening a path for divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion. Others argue Francis has created confusion about Catholic teachings.

Over six in 10 say he has helped make the church more accepting of homosexuality, while 17 percent say they would like to see him do less in that area. Eleven percent say they do not want Francis to make the church more accepting of divorce and remarriage.

Twenty-two percent of Americans identified as Catholic in 2012, before Francis’ election, and 20 percent did the same in 2017.

Mass attendance has stayed steady over the same period, with about four in 10 Catholics reporting weekly attendance.

Analysis and Comment

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Comments

Jonathan GodfreyMore sloppy reporting on the fees-free policy...
Pity its opponents seem so set on ignoring that it applies to the entire tertiary sector, and means that those attending the Polytechs are getting a years free training instead of racking up the debt.
Another problem with the teacher's claims is that...

Bernadette AvisonWhen the priests, sing the Mass I cringe.
Sorry but I doubt that Jesus when consecrating his body and blood sang.
For me the priest when singing takes away something very precious and he becomes the main figure as in the lead actor in a stage performance.
The focus for me is the elevation "This...

KieranGood point Chris. I am in full support of what you say about such representation. Their voice needs to be heard in conjunction with those in the Church who are in positions to make changes and call to accountability.

DavidAs a lay person who, in the past, was asked to help deal with abuse within the church, because there were no protocols established, I can tell you I think Chris McLoughen has a valid point.
The church needs real reform to heal the abuse crisis. Catholics who have been spiritually hurt must have...